Kylian Mbappe’s penalty woes continued as Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 loss to Athletic Club at San Mames on Wednesday.
Despite some flashes of promise, several key players failed to make an impact, leading to a frustrating evening for the visitors.
Here are the players to blame for Real Madrid’s Defeat;
Rodrygo
Rodrygo had a quiet match, drifting around the pitch but failing to make a huge impact.
The Brazil International’s connection with Mbappe was notably lacking, and he struggled to find a rhythm, contributing little to the team’s attacking play.
Mbappe
The night was particularly difficult for Mbappe, who found the back of the net in the first half only to see the goal ruled out for offside.
His penalty miss further compounded his frustration, as Real Madrid’s star forward failed to capitalise on an opportunity to level the match.
Courtois
Thibaut Courtois had some important saves to his name, but his blunder in the lead-up to Athletic’s opening goal was crucial.
The goalkeeper’s misjudgment allowed the hosts to seize the advantage, and the mistake ultimately proved costly for Madrid in the final result.
Tchouameni
Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to the lineup was a welcome sight, but his performance was inconsistent.
While his presence in midfield was felt, the Frenchman was often sloppy with possession, and his errors disrupted Real Madrid’s flow.
Valverde.
Federico Valverde started the match poorly, blasting a free-kick well over the bar and struggling to make a meaningful impact in the first half.
However, he improved in the second period, only to make a costly mistake in the dying moments.
Valverde lost possession in a dangerous area, allowing Athletic to capitalise and score the match-winner.
